If you have kids at home, you have messes at home. Messes are just a fact of life with kids around. From dealing with toy clutter to getting rid of stains, cleaning up after your messy kids can feel like a full-time job. Luckily, it doesn’t have to be difficult to tackle common kid messes if you have a game plan. Be ready for anything with these simple cleaning tips for 10 common kids messes to get ready for anything they can throw your way!
See Also: While we’re at it, who else has a hard time getting their tile floors clean? This is our guide to cleaning ceramic tile floors!
Essential Simple Cleaning Tips for 10 of the Most Common Kid Messes
Tackle those unexpected spills, mishaps, messes and wall art pieces with these simple and easy cleaning tips. Who couldn’t benefit from a few extra tools in your cleaning arsenal? Pin these tips to your cleaning board for later for quick reference!
Stuck-On Gum
Whether you have gum stuck in your carpet or on your couch, removing it is pretty simple. All you need to peel a piece of gum off a soft surface is some ice. Fill a bag with a few ice cubes and place the bag on top of the gum. Let the ice sit on the gum for around 30 minutes. When the gum is frozen, pull it off by breaking it into pieces.
Fabric Stains
From juice spills to messy dinners, stains are inevitable with kids around. The key to keeping your kids’ clothes looking like new is treating the stains as soon as possible. When you notice a stain, blot away excess liquid, then dab stain remover on the spot. Wash the fabric on the hottest cycle the fabric will allow. And always check to make sure the stain has been removed before placing it in the dryer.
Easy Stick Removal
Did your kid get a little bit to excited about his sticker collection? If you have stickers stuck to your dining room table or living room walls, don’t worry! Removing stickers is as easy as drying your hair in the morning. Aim a hair dryer at the stickers in question. The warm air from the hair dryer will help loosen the adhesive. Then, use a putty knife to scrape the stickers off the surface without causing damage to the furniture or your walls.
Tackle Toy Clutter
Taking control of toy clutter is one of the biggest jobs a parent can have. The key to ensuring your kid’s toys don’t take over your house is to create a kid-friendly organizational system. Storing your kid’s toys in a simple system will not only help you keep your kid’s toy clutter under control, it will also make it more likely that your kids clean up after themselves when they’re finished playing. To tackle toy clutter, consider these easy tips:
- Hide toys in plain sight in common areas of the house by storing them in decorative baskets.
- Label each container so your kids know where to store their toys when they’re finished playing.
- Use clear containers so your kids can see what’s inside.
- Take the time to declutter toys on a regular basis to ensure your kids’ toy collection doesn’t get out of control.
- Separate your kid’s craft supplies from their toys, ideally in a different area.
Crayon on the Wall
So you gave your kid some crayons and a coloring book and turned your back on them for a minute. Next thing you know, they’re drawing on the walls. Clean off their masterpiece with a little bit of baking soda. Dip a damp cloth in baking soda and rub it on the crayon to remove the art work without damaging your walls or the paint.
Permanent Marker Stains
If you have an artist at home who accidently got ahold of a permanent marker, you may think your favorite piece of furniture is ruined. But before you get rid of the chair with a silly doodle on it, grab a bottle of hand sanitizer. The alcohol in the hand sanitizer will help loosen the ink. To remove the permanent marker from any surface, squirt a few drips of hand sanitizer on the stain. Let it soak for a few seconds, then wipe it away with a paper towel. Repeat the process as needed until all the marker is gone.
Paint Spills
The key to cleaning up paint is tackling the mess as soon as possible. Clean off as much wet paint as you can with a paper towel, then use a mixture of laundry detergent and water to loosen the remaining paint. Scrape the paint off with a plastic putty knife. Repeat the process until the paint has been removed.
Trash in the Car
With all the snacks that come in and out of your car, your family vehicle can quickly become a trash magnet. Make sure the trash stays under control by always having a trash bag on hand. Grocery bags make great car trash bags. Loop one over the back of the passenger seat so your kids can easily toss their trash into the bag instead of on the floor.
Urine Soaked Mattress
Potty training is hard and accidents happen. Make sure your kid’s mattress stays fresh after an accident by blotting as much liquid from the mattress as possible. Then, spray a solution of one part vinegar to two parts water on the wet area. Blot the vinegar mixture away with towels, then add a layer of baking soda. Let the baking soda sit for at least eight hours and vacuum the mattress thoroughly.
Stuck-On Play-Doh
When cleaning up after a Play-Doh session, it’s best to let the dough dry completely before trying to clean it up. After it’s dry, break it into small pieces and vacuum up the crumbs. Then, use a little bit of water and dish soap to wipe away the residue.
Using these simple cleaning tips for 10 of the most common kid messes will give you the edge in the day to day struggle. You’ll find yourself one step ahead without pesky and irritating messes all around the house. One of the best stress relievers can be taking control of your surroundings, especially with some of the messes our little ones can come up with!
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